PAGASA: Expect hot, humid weather starting next week

Filipinos may expect hot and humid weather starting next week as the northeast monsoon weakens and gives way to the hot summer months, a state weather forecaster said Friday. In a radio interview, PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong said the northeast monsoon is still affecting the country this week but will further weaken this coming week. "Patuloy pa ring nakakaapekto sa ating bansa ang northeast monsoon pero by next week unti-unti ito hihina at mananaig ang easterlies," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. Earlier, Quitlong said they expect the summer season to start in the second half of March, and with the easterlies or warm winds from the east, Filipinos can expect to feel the heat of summer. "Maasahan natin medyo maalinsangan at mainit na panahon next week," he said. Rain over Bicol and Eastern Visayas For Friday, PAGASA said the northeast monsoon is still affecting Luzon, with Bicol and Eastern Visayas likely to have cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rain showers and thunderstorms. It added Mindanao and the rest of Visayas will be "cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms." PAGASA said Cordillera, Cagayan Valley and Aurora and Quezon provinces will have cloudy skies with light rain. On the other hand, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Also, PAGASA said strong to gale force winds associated with the northeast monsoon may affect the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas. "Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea..." it said. — LBG/TJD, GMA News